Oftentimes, when the name Elon Musk comes to mind, the first thing that pops into people’s heads are his electric vehicles. However, you may be surprised to learn that Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has launched dozens of satellites over the past several years, many of which are visible from the surface of the Earth. Having been launched as part of Starlink, Musk’s endeavour to make interplanetary travel accessible for all, the slew of satellites has revolutionized the idea of how space can be used. Everywhere you turn, Elon Musk’s name is in the headlines, but this time, the main attraction is Starlink. So when can the aspiring satellite-seeker see these futuristic marvels in their night sky?
In order to make the most of an opportunity to lay eyes on Musk’s satellites, one should plan to look for the satellites during twilight, usually around the hour before sunrise and sunset. During twilight, the angle of the sun is low relative to the horizon, and since the sun is what silhouettes the satellites, the chances of actually spotting them are higher. This time also helps because, due to the angle of the sun, the sky is still quite bright despite the fact that the stars have appeared in the night sky. Additionally, the satellites are in a polar orbit and pass rather quickly, so the chances of being able to spot them before they disappear into the horizon are improved when the sky is still light.
When looking for the satellites, it is important to take into account their relatively small reflective area. A reflection of the sun means that the satellite will be bright enough to appear in the night sky, but this brightness will not last for too long. To further aid in the search for the satellites, one may check for visible satellite predictions, as online resources can provide such predictions for a particular location. This way, you will not waste time looking for the satellites in the wrong place or in the wrong direction.
Even with a clear sky and good predictions, there is still no guarantee that you will actually be able to spot the satellites. This is because a satellite’s designed mission and the actual operation of it may not line up. Also, satellites tend to follow pre-defined paths, which means that these paths may not line up with your location at the exact time that you choose to go satellite-spotting. Unless you have a great deal of luck, you may have to wait a while before the stars align.
Musk and SpaceX: A Background
Understanding the magnitude of what Elon Musk and his aerospace company SpaceX have accomplished with their satellite-launching initiative requires one to look into their prior rocket-launching endeavors. This is why, before getting into the answer of when you can actually see those satellites in the sky, it is interesting to take a look at Musk and SpaceX’s history.
SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, specializes in space travel and exploration, as well as commercial travel beyond the stratosphere. Since their launch in 2002, SpaceX has made many achievements, including the first reusable rocket and various other aeronautical feats. In 2018, SpaceX launched their first Falcon Heavy rocket, which is considered to be the most powerful operational rocket in the world. With their flurry of milestones, SpaceX has revolutionized the aerospace industry, and their current endeavour, Starlink, is further proof of that.
Starlink: Musk’s Vast Network of Satellites
Starlink, as mentioned above, is Musk’s revolutionary satellite-launching initiative. After being under development since 2015, the endeavour behind Starlink is to build a series of interconnected satellites in order to provide global internet access. This is to be the world’s first low-latency, high-speed internet service, covering the entirety of the globe, with the exception of the oceanic areas. As of March 2021, SpaceX has launched over 1,500 Starlink satellites, and further launches are predicted to take place in order to further the project’s reach.
However, the presence of thousands of satellites in the sky presents its own set of problems, a chief one being the impact of this large amount of space debris on the infosphere. According to Senior Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Danielle Wood, “the only way to mitigate this issue is to ensure that the operators and designers of these satellites account for the risks”. This is an issue where the responsibility lies in Musk’s hand and the hand of other stakeholders in the aerospace industry.
What is Musk’s End Goal with Starlink?
Musk is no stranger to grand ideas and long-term visions, and his initiative with Starlink is no different. His main focus is to cover the entire globe with world-wide internet access, to connect everyone and everything, no matter where they are. This is of course not the only reason Musk is exploring Starlink so deeply. The underlying goal is to make interplanetary travel completely accessible.
Rather than relying on the use of boosters or expendable rockets, which require a long and tedious startup procedure, Musk wants to be able to use reusable rockets, hitched to the Starlink satellites, that can provide a low latency connection to anywhere on Earth from anywhere else on Earth. What makes this different from using transportation on Earth is that, not only is it convenient, but it is also environmentally friendly, since reusable rockets will create 20 times less greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Impact of Starlink
In addition to the low greenhouse gas emissions that reusable rockets are expected to generate while in operation, the environmental impact of Starlink on a larger scale also includes the creation of light pollution. While the project is commercial in nature, the fact that so many satellites are being sent into space has led to worries that these satellites will lead to an overall increase in light pollution. In response to this issue, SpaceX is developing technology that would reduce the amount of sunlight that is reflected off the Starlink satellites.
When it comes to emissions, SpaceX also plans to avoid using engines that burn fossil fuels in order to push the satellites into higher orbits. To do this, SpaceX is researching and has implemented advanced electric space propulsion technology in some of its satellites. Not only is this a more efficient way of getting these satellites from their launch orbit, but it also means that they consume less fuel, ultimately leading to fewer emissions.
Impact of Starlink on Amateur Astronomy
One other impact of Starlink and its vast network of satellites has been its interference with amateur astronomy. It appears that some photographers are noticing a dramatic increase in the number of photos they take at night that have streaks in them as a result of the satellite’s movement across the sky. In response to this, SpaceX has stated that they will be implementing software-level changes in order to reduce brightness in certain areas of the sky, in order to minimize the impact of their satellites on amateur astronomy.
That being said, it is worth noting that some amateur astronomers, such as astrophysicist Pamela L. Gay, are not concerned about the impact that the satellites will have. She mentions that the Starlink constellation is moving too slowly to be seen on any night except for special occasions, and that its effect on amateur astronomers will be negligible in the long run.
Pros and Cons of a High-Speed Global Internet
When a project such as Starlink is introduced, there are both pros and cons associated with it, and the same applies to the potential of a high-speed global internet that the project presents. It is clear that the project would provide access to internet services far and wide, bringing a series of advantages to its users. However, there are also potential downfalls related to the project that are of concern.
The most obvious advantage of such a project is the immediate availability of high-speed internet in any part of the world. This could have a positive effect on communication, accessible education and healthcare services, as well as cultural exchanges that are often inhibited by a lack of the internet. Moreover, another big advantage is that the system could provide a more sustainable way of accessing the internet, since it would require much less energy than traditional methods.
On the other hand, there are also risks associated with such a great initiative. Possible interference with other ground-based communication systems, health considerations related to excessive wireless signals from satellites, and the ability to track and monitor people’s online activity are some of these risks. All these possibilities must be taken into account before any move is made in order to ensure that any potential impact that might arise is minimized.
Closing Thoughts on Elon Musk and His Satellites
Having looked into the history of Elon Musk and SpaceX, as well as what their project Starlink entails, the question of when one can actually see Elon Musk’s satellites can be answered. Twilight is the time to look, along with preferred visible satellites predictions that are easily available online. Moreover, the environmental and social impact, both positive and negative, of making such a project a reality must also be taken into account in order to create a sustainable reality.
We can begin to understand that the project behind Starlink is not just a commercial ambition, but rather a grand ambition that has the potential to bring people closer together, both literally and figuratively. There are undoubtedly still a great deal of steps that must be taken in order for the project to realize its full potential, but Elon Musk and his SpaceX team are continuously trying to make this a reality.
